Athlete Spotlight – May 2016

Our May spotlight athlete, Hillarie Christley, works incredibly hard every day and always has a smile to share for the rest of us. We’re extremely happy that she chose CrossFit Sandy when she was in search of a new box to call home!

Nickname? Hill, Hilldawg, Hilldabeast

Age? 35

When did you start CrossFit and where? I started CrossFit in January of 2014 at Faultline CrossFit

When did you start at CrossFit Sandy? June 2nd, 2015

CrossFit has made me the the strongest I have ever been in my life. I am doing things I never thought I would do (i.e. pull-ups, handstand push-ups, rope climbs, snatching etc.). I love that there is always a movement to learn and ways to improve.

Hitting a PR or getting a good time on a WOD brightens up the rest of my day. I love cheering everyone on and celebrating each other’s successes.

What is your CrossFit “Superpower!”? My CrossFit superpower’s are pull-ups, rowing and deadlifts.

What is your least favorite CrossFit movement? Ever since I tore up my shin doing box jumps in a WOD, I am now a lot more cautious when doing them. That was definitely one of the most painful WOD’s I have ever completed!

Are there high points in your training or big accomplishments you would like to share?

I was very excited that this year I was able to complete all the open workouts Rx. I have come a long way over the past two and a half years since starting CrossFit.

That’s an even bigger accomplishment given that the Open workouts seem to get more difficult skill-wise every year!

What is your favorite workout? TK was the first hero WOD that got my name on the board!

Do you have any pieces of wisdom for new members? Don’t give up!! Pick one movement you want to get better at and practice it over and over again. I recommend starting with buying your own rope and mastering double unders.

I grew up in St. Louis Missouri and am a Cardinal’s baseball fan. I love biking, both mountain and road biking. I really enjoy doing triathlons. I went canyoneering for the first time with friends this year. Thanks to CrossFit, I was strong enough to climb through some pretty technical canyons.

Being healthy and strong not only allows me to go on fun adventures with friends but also helps me be a better occupational therapist. Daily, I help people who are sick and trying to get well enough to go back home. I am constantly lifting and moving people that are not able to do so on their own. One time I had a patient, who was paraplegic, who was trying to get in his wheelchair on his own. The brake on the wheelchair did not work and he started to fall in between the wheelchair and the bed. I was able to pick this man up, who was 185 lbs, and put him safely in his wheelchair. He looked at me and said, “Wow, you are strong!”. I am grateful for a strong and healthy body so I can help and serve others.

Being active is as much for my physical health as it is for my mental health. Training for my first triathlon is what helped me learn to manage severe anxiety during graduate school. CrossFit helps me keep my sanity! 🙂

Thanks Hillarie for taking the time to share your experiences with the rest of us. We’re looking forward to celebrating your next great accomplishments! p.s. Work is no excuse, you aren’t getting out of Murph that easy…